The new toy teaching toddlers how to express their feelings – and it’s parent educator approved!
“Children are best able to learn through play.”
Expressing emotions can often be tough for toddlers as they are still developing language skills but there is a new toy on the block that is making it easier to learn how to communicate their feelings.
The new LEGO DUPLO Big Emotions range goes beyond just playing – they’re designed to make it easy and fun for kids to understand and talk about their emotions.
Catering to preschool kids aged 18 months and up, the set offers a simple and creative way for kids to feel more confident about their feelings.
The set includes four expressive characters, each representing a different emotion. These characters provide a tangible and visual way for toddlers to explore and understand various moods.
Designed with the intention of developing self-expression and fine motor skills, these sets encourage open-ended play.
Parent educator Gen Muir’s tips for learning through play
The foundation of learning through play is praised by parenting educator Gen Muir from Connected Parenting, who says children are more open to learning when engaged in a fun activity.
“Children are best able to learn through play,” she says.
“Having emotions incorporated into one of their favourite toys means that as they are ‘playing’ they are innately becoming familiar with the look of certain emotions. One of the incredible side effects of this is that they will become better at reading others. This impacts social skills, social awareness and their ability to make and retain friends.”
Gen says the set allows kids to become familiar with different feelings in a natural and enjoyable way.
“One of the best ways to help children learn to express and regulate emotions is to help them name them. Kids are visual learners so by having emotions displayed on the characters, kids begin to see and understand these visually.
“Parents can also use the concept of wonder and curiosity to ask questions about feelings with their bricks. For example, parents might say, ‘I wonder how this guy is feeling?’ which prompts children to think critically about emotions without feeling pressured.”
Caregivers can also use the characters as a springboard to discuss their own emotions. By associating emotions with relatable situations, such as, “This guy looks worried, mummy felt worried about her big presentation at work today,” is a great age-appropriate way of talking about our own experiences of emotions.
LEGO DUPLO My First Big Feelings and Emotions, RRP $39.99
This toddler emotional toy learning set, features 4 expressive characters for kids aged 18 months and up to grasp various moods.
The build-and-rebuild stacking toy has 23 bricks, including 8 facial expressions and 4 wig bricks.
